US Alliance Obligations in the Disputes in the East and South China Seas

Maritime and territorial disputes in Asia could trigger a military conflict between China and the United States. China has been quarreling with Japan and the Philippines over islands and islets in the East and South China Seas. Tokyo and Manila have alliance ties with Washington and the United States could be entangled in their allies’ conflict. Tongfi Kim describes the alliance agreements that could apply and assesses what the treaties say and how the involved actors interpret them. He discusses how the disputants and the United States understand the alliances and their applicability to the disputes.